ST. JAMES THE LESS AND ST. HELEN

CATHOLIC CHURCH, Colchester

with

Mersea, Mile End and Monkwick

Fr Joseph Whisstock

Fr  Brett Adams

Fr  Philip Willenbrock

51 Priory Street , Colchester, Essex, CO1 2QB

Tel:           01206 866317;   Fax  01206 791213

E-Mail      [email-masked]

www.stjamesthelessandsthelen.org

THE FOURTH  SUNDAY OF THE YEAR  [A]

February 3rd  2008

Dear Friends,

Before he discovered his vocation as a painter, Vincent van Gogh studied for the priesthood but he failed to be recommended and left to do missionary work – an experience he called “a free course at the university of despair”. He gave away his few possessions but was dismissed for taking the Gospel too literally.  Only then, penniless and having experienced rejection, did he discover his true calling as a painter.  Despite being an extremely prolific artist just one painting was sold during his lifetime; only after his death did he succeed in his ambition to show the world what was in the heart of such a nobody.

In today’s three readings we hear of God’s preference for the nobodies of this world.  The prophet Zephaniah speaks of the humble and the lowly, those who find refuge and shelter in the Lord.  Paul warns the Christians at Corinth not to become arrogant with their own wisdom because God has a habit of choosing what is weak and foolish by human standards.  Matthew gives us the great jewel of his Gospel – the Beatitudes.  Here, those who are called “blessed” or “happy” can hardly be described as fortunate or lucky people.  Matthew is not offering an unusual programme to happiness.  The Beatitudes speak of a variety of experiences that disciples undergo as a result of their involvement in living the Gospel. The result of this involvement might appear to the world as senseless suffering, but Jesus says that it is good.  He heaps blessings on those who struggle to love the truth of the Gospel and the best commentary on the Beatitudes is Jesus’ own life. Giving up power and prestige to follow powerlessness; being gentle with those whom other people write off as hopeless; experiencing hunger – the hunger that can only be satisfied by doing what is right.  In the end He is abused and persecuted in the cause of right and handed over to death.

Everyone here has some experience of the cost of discipleship but as Paul tells us, Christ is our wisdom and freedom and in pledging to share the wisdom of one counted as a nobody, we will continue to show the world what is in the heart of such a nobody.

God bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday 3rd February           12.00  Social Committee Meeting              Presbytery

Monday 4th February           7:30-9pm Baptism Course [2 of 2]             Crypt

Tuesday 5th February          3.30pm  Pancakes     ]                               See below

“       “           “                6pm  Evening Prayer ]                               See below

“       “           “                7pm  S.V.P. Meeting                                 Presbytery

Wednesday 6th          ASH WEDNESDAY  See schedule for Mass times and

No Scripture Course this evening

Friday 8th February             7:30pm  Stations of the Cross         P. St & see below

HOLY FATHER’S MISSION INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY: that Institutes of Consecrated Life, in faithfulness to the Gospel, may generously share Christ’s mission to the world.

THANK YOU FROM PEGGY WILDING; Peggy would like to say thank you to all those who have sent Mass cards and messages of sympathy since the sad death of her daughter, Maria.  Thank you also for the continued prayerful support she has received during her illness.  Mass will be offered for your intentions.

LENTEN OBSERVANCES IN THE PARISH

STATIONS OF THE CROSS:  Will take place at 7:30pm on the Friday evenings during Lent and we will alternate with St James the Great.  This coming Friday, 8th February, Stations will be here at Priory Street.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN CENTRAL COLCHESTER  “Lent Together”: Lunchtime Services for Lent 2008 at 1pm on different days during Lent.  The first will be held here at Priory Street on Monday 11th February.  Then Tuesday 19th February at St Peter’s North Hill; Wednesday 27th February at St James the Great; Thursday 6th March at Castle Methodist Church [here a soup lunch will be served from 12:15pm]; finally Friday 14th March at Eld Lane Baptist Church.

“WALK WITH ME”  booklets for Lent.  A few are left in the Porch. Price £1.

ANNUAL LENTEN SPIRITUALITY MORNING- Saturday 9TH Feb 9.30-12.00

BRES annual Lenten Spirituality Morning takes place in Cathedral house Brentwood on 9th Feb 9.30-12.00. The theme for this year’s event is “ Hope in our time” and will be delivered by Fr Christopher O’Donnell O.Carm who is an international author, lecturer, retreat director as well as professor emeritus of Spirituality at the Milltown Institute Dublin. Cost is £3 unwaged and £5 waged. All welcome. Tel. 01277 265285

MERCY ASSOCIATES MEETING: The next Meeting takes place on Monday, 11th February at 7:30pm at Christ Church Court.  Tel. 763049.

THE K.S.C. are holding a Valentines Dance on Saturday 16th February in the Cardinal Bourne Hall at 7:45pm.  Entrance £5.  Proceeds to Little Haven Children’s Hospice.  Bring your own drink and food will be provided.  Fancy and humorous dress optional.

BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY FUNDRAISING EVENTS:

Friday 14th March 2008, 7.30pm Charity Irish Night at Halfway House Marquee, A127/Herongate. (adults £40, children aged 10+  £20 per ticket).

Sunday 9th March 2008, Brentwood Fun Run and Half Marathon, sponsorship forms available. For more information contact the Office on 01268 784544.

“POP IN FOR A PANCAKE”- The Community at 48 Priory Street give an open invitation on Shrove Tuesday, February 5th from 3.30pm onwards.  They will end with Evening Prayer at 6pm to which you are warmly invited.

TO ALL EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS:  A Quiet Day has been arranged at Clare Priory on March 8th from 10am to 4pm.  Cost will be £12 per person which will include tea, coffee and soup lunch.  Could you please let me know as soon as possible if you are coming as I am required to pay a deposit for each person on booking.  Margaret Wheeler 797850.

YOUTH NEWS: SPONSORED WALK  15TH March 2008 in Aid of World Youth Day and BYS Pilgrimage to Lourdes.  Full details on poster in the Church porch.

ST PATRICK’S NIGHT CELEBRATION: Saturday 15th March 7:30pm in the Cardinal Bourne Hall.  Watch this space for more information.  Frances Galvin.

FRIENDS OF PERU: Our annual Beetle Drive will take place on Saturday 23rd February.  More details to follow.

PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND: A pilgrimage to Krakow, Poland is being organized from 12th May for 8 nights, flying from Stansted.  It will include excursions to various shrines.  Cost – including flights, trips and half-board - £450. Anyone interested can contact Mrs Blackett now on 01277 821886; mobile 07754 163007.

KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA:  Do you want to be a lay apostle of Jesus? To actively promote Catholic values, pursue Catholic objectives in civil everyday life and support Catholic causes at home and overseas financially, spiritually and practically e.g. by fundraising, by prayer, pilgrimages and collective devotions such as the Rosary, Stations of the Cross and by engaging in e.g. the battle to defeat the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Bill now before parliament?  If so, The Knights of St Columba is for you. Ring Barry - 365132; Michael - 854803;  John -  851838.

LAST CHANCE FOR THE HOUSE OF LORDS TO STOP EMBRYO BILL – PLEASE TAKE ACTION: This Monday, 4th February, the House of Lords is to debate the use of human embryos in experiments. This is their last chance to stop the Bill, before it goes to the House of Commons.  The Bill seeks to:-

·          Extend the creation of test-tube babies

·          Allow embryonic children to be abused and killed for a wide range of research purposes

·          Permit the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos.

Please write to one or more Lords now, urging them to move for a vote against the Bill.  A list of their names and key points to make is available in the porch.

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: Saturday 26th July to Friday 1st August 2008.150th Anniversary of the Apparitions & Jubilee Year. Travel by air from Stansted Airport. Full board from £572. For more information please contact the Pilgrimage Administrator, Mrs Cathy O'Connor, on 01206 501146.

SICK PARISHIONERS: Please pray for Emily Begg, June Bickersteth, Marie Dixon, John Fisher, Anne Gardiner, Denisia Gray, Maria Hanak, Eileen Head, Michelle Huet, Deirdre Kehoe, Catherine Libby, Sheila Parsons, John Rae, Sheila Shillingford, Alwyn Stains, Carole Stover, Peggy Wilding.

DAILY:                 Rosary 8:40am; Divine Mercy 9am [Wednesdays 11:40am]

EVENING PRAYER: [5.2.08 at No.48] Monday to Friday 5:45pm in the Church

MEDITATION GROUP:                        Tuesdays at 8pm at No.48 Priory Street

EXPOSITION:                                                               Saturdays 10am – 11am

PARISH WEB SITE: For all inclusions, enquiries etc., contact Donald Clarke at

[email-masked] or leave envelopes for him at the House.

IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE PARISH OR VISITING please introduce yourself to one of the priests after Mass.  If you are moving within or out of the parish, please let us know in writing.

LITURGY FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A]

February 3rd 2008 A.D – Day for the Unemployed

The first Mass of Sunday is on Saturday Evening at Priory Street

Saturday  February 2nd

Sunday    February 3rd

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30 am

6:30 pm

Mr and Mrs Maloney RIP

Private Intention

Holy Souls RIP

Stanley Archard RIP

West Mersea

8:30 am

Michael Piquet-Wicks RIP

Mile End

9:15 am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15 am

Maria Lumsden RIP [HM]

Monday 4th

Feria

Church               9:15 am      Jack Playle RIP [A]

Michael Piquet-Wicks RIP

Tuesday 5th

Wednesday 6th

St Agatha, V.M.

Church               9:15 am   Alan Walker RIP

Frederick, Elizabeth & Angelo Lucas RIP

ASH WEDNESDAY

School [KS2]

Thursday 7th

Friday 8th

Saturday 9th

Church                9:15 am  Parishioners

Church              12:15 pm  Liam Malone RIP

Church                7:30 pm  Florence Fuller RIP

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Church                9:15 am  Frances Hoare RIP

Friday after Ash Wednesday

Church                9:15 am  William Guild RIP

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Church                  9:15 am   Deceased Relatives – Betts Family  RIP

LITURGY FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT  [A]

February 10th 2008 A.D.

Saturday  February 9th

Sunday    February 10th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30 am

2:00 pm

3:30  pm

5:00 pm

6:30 pm

Joyce and Harry Drummond RIP

Ray Gardiner RIP

In thanksgiving [Chloe Thompson]

POLISH MASS

SIGNED MASS

HOLY HOUR

Intentions of Susan Nicholson & Ivan Higgins

West Mersea

8:30 am

Lolly Socki RIP

Mile End

9:15 am

Rose Delaney RIP

Monkwick

10:15 am

Intentions of  Friends of Peggy Wilding

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SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION   Saturday 10:00-11:00am & 5:30-6:00pm

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM                  Baptismal Courses arranged as per Newsletter

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE              At  least six months notice is required

SCHOOLS                                             St Thomas More       Head: Bridget Harris [865722]

St Benedict’s           Head: John O’Hara   [549222]

Marriage Care                                    www.marriagecare.org.uk                 0800 389 3801

Vocations                                             www.brentwoodvocations.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity No. 234092